A rare interview with the First Doctor, William Hartnell, will be included among the special features on the DVD release of “The Tenth Planet.”
In the interview, Hartnell waxes on such topics as his surprising appeal to children, the difficulties in playing to the Daleks, and his plans on life after Who. The footage was discovered in 2009 by Richard Bignell, and promptly digitzed by the BBC for inclusion on a DVD release. The interview took place about three months after the filming of “The Tenth Planet,” which was the First Doctor’s swan song.
Yes. That is a Cyberman. This arc marks not only the First Doctor’s regeneration, but also the first appearance of the Cybermen and Two. The story occurred in four episodes, but sadly only three have survived. And herein lies the bad news. Episode four was the first appearance of Troughton as two, but also the episode in which One regenerated. The Doctor’s first regeneration within its story is lost, possibly making episode four of this arc one of the most sought after items in science fiction history. For this release, the fourth episode will be an animated addition. Click here for details on the special features on this set. It’s still very much worth a purchase because in addition to this rare treat of an interview, the Blue Peter episode dedicated to the show’s tenth anniversary is included. In that special episode the regeneration aired, thereby allowing us to still witness the first change, albeit out of context.
Hartnell, whose career began in 1932, played the Doctor from 1963 to 1966. He performed in other projects until 1970 and appeared on a Who special in 1973. “The Tenth Planet” series will be released in Region One on November 19, 2013.